San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-02-03
THE CHIEF TALKS.
The Fire Department to Be Made More
Efficient, by New Material, New
Horses, Etc.

Horses, Etc.
A LIGHT reporter met Chief Duerler
OF the fire department, a few days ago
and In conversation the Chief said the
fire department was just now working
all right.
We have Just passed a resolution In
the board OF directors meeting to furnish
list OF names OF all members OF the fire
department TO the sheriff and his dep
uties, In order that they may not mis-
take aud summon q fireman for Jury
duty.
We also disbanded the cOlored fire
company. This company really has
been disbanded for some months now,
and their apparatus Is slowed away In
fire company No. hall, on Market
street. They didn't take care Of it. Why
you remember the old Vaudeville fire ?
Yes. Well this company attended It
and worked, but their apparatus, hose,
ETC., was found eight days after In their
hall, just as they left 1t after the fire.
dirty; and In condition TO rot very
quickly, and had 1t not been found and
cared for. all the hose, 800 feet, would
have been rendered useless.
Then again, In funerals, rules to gov
ern which will be prepared by the CON-
mittee on rules appointed by the direc-
tors, the colored company worked
against the organization Of the depart
ment In this matter. Heretofore when
fireman died only members Of his
company were compelled to attend his
funeral. and the other members OF the
department were invited. Now that the
colored company Is out Of the depart
ment, attendance on funerals will be
made compulsory on the entire depart.
ment. There win be general new ar
rangement tending to strong organi-
Zation OF the department. | have pre-
sented my views to the directors about
another move I intend to make
to increase the efficiency OF
the department. That Is to get
horses for the hose trucks. This
city Is too large for men 10 run to fires
dragging truck. They never arrive
early. If we give them horse apiece,
for their trucks, we will have the best
fire department In the state. This ques-
tion came up In the directors meeting
by members motion to refit Company
No. Is old engine, and to equip 1t with
three men and three horses, one for
hose truck auxiliary TO the engine.
would rather sell the old engine and
give the hose companies the benefit Of
these horses, and the hose companies
are all In favor OF this, even the Sunsets,
who would probably get the engine, are
In favor Of the horses for the hose carts.
We have the old engine cleaned and
stored away. Ii cannot be used except
for pumping out cellars, wells, etc. The
Second ward and Sunset hose compa-
MES will soon receive three hundred feet
OF new hose each, which have been puT-
chased by the city.
The Sunsets may prefer the engine,
but don't think they do. Ii would in
cur an expense to the city OF three paid
men, Sl65 per month, three horses, 800,
building Of an engine house, 1000, pur-
chase OF 800 feet of hose. $500, $1,000 for
repairs OF engine, and $3.50 for a good
hose cart.
We are thinking OF selling the old
HOOK and Ladder truck and purchasing
new one more adapted to the needs Of
our city and Its high buildings. The old
ladders of this truck are not serviceable
now at fires, being too short. We have
eight good BabcOok fire extinguishers,
nearly new and will sell truck, Bsbcocks
and all for about $500. Ii will do for a
small town. We want Skinner truck.
with long ladders, and can get 1t for
$1,000, about the cost of the old one, but
without the Babcocks.
"Do the insurance companies assist
the fire department ?" asked the re-
porter.
No. not a cent, and | am in favor Of
that insurance bill that has passed the
Texas House of Representatives, relat-
ing to the nOn-pOOling reinsurance COM
panies on rates. II it passes the senate,
1t will be big benefit to san Antonio,
but the insurance companies can't get as
good margins as now, with uniform
rate. This will be broken up"